Wedding planning

Alex drove through the gates of a breathtaking mansion. She'd seen many houses in her line of work, but this one was something else. It was simple but elegant, with a lot of flowers and greenery.

Julian was silent beside her. After his reaction at the park, they went home, and he had a nap. He was fine after that, so she didn't notify Riley.

Today, they were meeting the bride whose wedding Alex was planning. The ceremony was set to take place in the bride's backyard—per her request—and Alex insisted on seeing the venue in person before finalizing anything.

As they stepped out of the car, a young, beautiful lady approached them with a warm smile.

"Alexandra Thompson. It's so nice to finally meet you." The young lady said.

Alex immediately recognized her as the bride, Jenna Davis. 

"Likewise, Miss Jenna. You can call me Alex," she replied, returning the smile.

"Call me Jenna," Jenna said, her tone gentle as she turned and led them into the house.

Alex took in the mansion as they walked, but her eyes kept drifting to Jenna. She was strikingly beautiful, with jet-black hair and dark eyes. Despite wearing just jeans and a soft knit sweater, Alex couldn't help but notice the grace and poise in the way she carried herself.

"My fiance couldn't make it today because of work," Jenna said with a wide smile."But he promised he'll be at our next meeting." 

It was obvious from her tone that she was excited about the wedding. There was a glow in her expression.

Jenna led them into the living room, which had a warm feel to it. At one point, Alex noticed Jenna kept glancing at Julian, her eyes shining with curiosity. Alex remembered she had not introduced them yet and quickly rushed to do so.

"This is Julian, my assistant."

"Assistant?" Jenna echoed, her brows lifting slightly as her gaze lingered on him. She tilted her head to the side, as if trying to recall something, then paused when she noticed Julian giving her a weird look. "Sorry, you just look familiar, but I can't remember where."

Julian gave her a smile. "It's fine. I get that a lot."

Jenna shook her head with a soft laugh before brushing the thought aside.

After offering them drinks, she told Alex her vision for her wedding. Alex jotted down the information diligently—colors, flowers, music, lighting.

Soon, they stepped out into the backyard, a wide and beautiful space that overlooked a trimmed garden and tall trees swaying gently in the breeze.

Alex was impressed. She was a bit skeptical about the location at first, but after seeing the yard herself, she knew it was the perfect venue for someone like Jenna.

Jenna moved around the space, pointing out where she wanted the altar, the seating, and the reception tables.

"Oh, and I have twenty bridesmaids. I want them to walk in one at a time."

Alex blinked. "Twenty?" Having twenty bridesmaids was unheard of.

Jenna laughed, not at all apologetic. "Yeah, I know. I have a lot of friends."

Alex chuckled softly, still a bit stunned. After noting that down, she asked, "What about your mom and dad? Are they helping with the planning?"

It was common for brides to plan closely with their mothers. Many mothers were eager to help out in their daughter's wedding, whether it was choosing a wedding dress, picking flowers, or organising the guest list. And Alex found it odd that Jenna was alone. Even her dad was absent. Aside from a few maids that passed, the mansion looked empty.

But Jenna's smile faltered for a second before she regained her composure. "My dad will walk me down the aisle, but he is currently away on a business trip," she responded and then added, "But my mom passed away."

The air shifted slightly. Alex's pen paused against her notepad.

"I'm so sorry," she said gently.

"It's fine." Jenna brushed it off with a wave. "I have a stepmother, but she won't be attending the wedding."

"May I ask why?" Alex pressed gently. As the planner, it was her job to know who was and wasn't welcome on the big day.

Jenna met her gaze directly, her voice sharp. "She's crazy." Her eyes narrowed to slits, all the warmth gone in an instant. "If you see her anywhere near this house on my wedding day, call the police."

Alex was stunned by Jenna's instant switch. "Oh... okay," she answered, wondering what her stepmom did to get such a strong reaction.

But she didn't push. Whatever history they had was none of her business. All she needed to do was plan the perfect wedding and keep out the drama.

Suddenly, Alex felt the urge to use the restroom. "Please, can I use your restroom?"

"Of course," Jenna replied, her expression softening again. "It's upstairs to the right. If can't find it, ask one of the maids for assistance."

"Thank you. You can continue the discussion with Julian while I'm gone." She said before scurrying off.

She found the restroom easily, relieved herself, then washed her hands and stepped back into the hallway. 

Just as she turned to head downstairs, a sharp, frantic banging caught her attention. She froze in place, holding her breath to listen. When she thought she had imagined the sound, another series of bangs echoed through the corridor.

Alarmed, she followed the sound to a locked door. The bangs were followed by a muffled scream.

"Let me out, you bastards!" a woman's voice cried from behind the door. "I'm the madam of this house! You can't do this to me!"

Alex's heart skipped a beat. Was there a ghost?

"Hello?" she called out, pressing her ear to the wood. 

The banging continued, louder this time. "Is someone there? Please, help me! It's hard to breathe in here." The voice sounded desperate.

Thinking the woman must have accidentally locked herself in, Alex glanced around in search of a maid for help, but the corridor was empty.

Time was ticking, and whoever was behind that door sounded terrified.

After hesitating for a second, she pulled a pin from her hair, crouched down, and began picking the lock. It didn't take long before a soft click echoed and the doorknob gave way.

The door creaked open slowly, revealing a dim, stale-smelling room. The air was heavy, and the only light came from a small window with curtains.

Alex frowned, stepping in slightly. How could someone end up trapped in a place like this?

"Hello—"

Before she could finish, two hands shot out of darkness and clamped around her arms. She gasped, instinctively trying to pull away, but the grip was firm.

She was about to scream, but when the woman stepped into the light, the words caught in her throat.

Chills ran down Alex's spine, and her face went pale.

The woman before her looked unhinged. Her brown hair was tangled, wild, and matted, her eyes red and swollen like she had been crying for hours. Smudged makeup streaked her pale, exhausted face, and deep wrinkles carved into her skin—not from old age, but from sheer mental and physical strain.

She could pass for someone who just broke from a mental hospital if not for the expensive clothes that still clung to her body.

But that wasn't what made Alex's blood run cold.

It was her eyes.

Wide. Brown. Unblinking.

They were the same eyes that had haunted Alex's nightmares for years. The same furious, chaotic gaze that always stared at her with burning hatred.

This wasn't just any woman.

This was her mother.

And from the slight dilation of the woman's pupils, Alex knew she recognized her too.